GC, Mennonites, and the Star Spangled Banner

At the risk of making enemies, let me blab for a few minutes on what I think about all of the hubbub over Goshen College's reversal of a decision to play the National Anthem at the beginning sporting events. I see 2 separate issues here –

1) A private college desires to make a decision on an issue that they are fully able to make by themselves. Why should the public have any say (and as much as I understand the pressure, why should my Mennonite friends feel pressure from the public) on what a private college does? Is there really a large group of GC alumni and donors that are up in arms over the decision to halt the playing/singing of the national anthem at games? If not, take the heat for standing up for what you feel is the right decision (as it seems GC is doing) and I'm sure with time, it will all blow over. I'm sure they are out there, but I have yet to speak with a bonified (sp?) Mennonite who is upset about this latest decision. It's mostly people outside of the Mennonite church that have issues. If you disagree with the stance they take on this, send your kids to Bethel, Taylor, or Indiana Wesleyan (all great local Christian schools) for college! But why waste your time trying to debate the issue? (oops…that last comment might be brought to you by the non-combatant Mennonite blood that runs in my family)

2) Is it out of hatred for their country that Mennonites don't sing the national anthem or place their hand over their heart while reciting the national anthem? This is really an interesting question. From my perspective, and though much like their Amish brethren, the Mennonites are hard to understand on some issues, I would answer no to this. The feel I get from most Menno's is not a sense of hatred for their country, but a sense of the US not being any better than any country. I could be all wet on this, but I see it as a love for 'all God's people' leading them to have an allegiance only to Christ, and deeming any kind of patriotic feel toward their own country as out of order…as out of order as a Republican decorating his/her car with a donkey. My suggestion, which I will make b/c this is my blog (hah!), is that we back off of the harsh accusations and generalizations we are throwing at the Mennonites and work a little harder to understand and know them. After all, these people do love Jesus, and at the heart of their doctrine, believe much like you and I, and I quote, "salvation is by grace through faith in Christ."

So, as most of you know, I am not a Mennonite (as an audible gasp is heard across blog land). I do know many of them, and appreciate their friendship and fellowship in Christ.

I actually would place myself on the side of being highly patriotic. I love this country, and do feel God raised us up for a specific divine purpose in history. I think it's silly and stupid of anyone to try to revise God out of the history of our country. I see no contradiction at all in pledging allegiance to the flag, nor in singing the national anthem. In fact, I enjoy taking part in both of these as it seems to remind me of how blessed I really am to be born in the US and have the freedoms I have b/c of men and women who have fought for my freedoms. Yes, yes, my ultimate freedom is in Christ, but b/c I live in the US, this freedom in Christ can be fully lived out in freedom as opposed to persecution.

I am proud to be a part of an imperfect, yet amazing country. I love the USA, and Megan and I are fostering this same love in our kids. But, any person who knows me will know where my true allegiance is – in Christ.

Thanks for reading! Now, without silly debates and mudslinging, what are your gut level feelings on this?

Comments

[Jamie]

Great post! I would say I whole heartedly agree with you...the only part of the equation that I struggle with is that my Dad is a Vietnam vet. While I DON'T have any problem whatsoever with someone not standing or putting their hand on their heart for the National Anthem....he does. And he takes it personally because he literally put himself on the line for our country. I sometimes feel a struggle between what I believe and a loyalty I feel towards my dad for what he did for our country. Make sense? Regardless, my faith lies in Christ and in the end THAT is what truly matters.

Thanks for a great post Scott!